Commissions & Committees

The Utah State Bar staffs the Pro Bono Commission, the Access to Justice Commission, and the Modest Means Committee.

Public Commissions & Committees

The Utah State Bar staffs the Pro Bono Commission, the Access to Justice Commission, and the Modest Means Committee. These groups address public need, help ensure equal justice, and work to break down barriers preventing people in need from accessing legal services.

Justice is what love looks like in public.

— Cornel West

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Access to Justice Commission

The Utah State Bar Access to Justice Commission is a state-wide body tasked with exploring access to justice issues to advance equity in the legal system while breaking down barriers faced by some people in need. While access to justice has been addressed in Utah since the mid-1990’s, the Access to Justice Coordinating Committee formally became the Access to Justice Commission in 2019. The Access to Justice Commission is a policy-driving group tasked with increasing awareness, researching issues, strategizing, promoting, and doing outreach to create change.

Pro Bono Commission

The Utah State Bar Pro Bono Commission is a state-wide body tasked with improving voluntary pro bono legal services. The Utah Judicial Council endorsed the creation of the PBC, which was established in April 2012 by the Utah Bar Commission. The PBC does this by the following:

Oversees pro bono programs and civil legal appointments.

Recruits, trains, and recognizes volunteer lawyers, law students, and legal professionals as they provide vital legal services to those in need and meet their professional responsibilities.

Encourages law firms, in-house counsel, and government agencies to participate and support pro bono efforts.

Engages with community partners to cultivate strong relationships and networking throughout the state.

1. Oversight

Oversees pro bono programs and civil legal appointments

2. Volunteering

Recruits, trains, and recognizes volunteer lawyers, law students, and legal professionals as they provide vital legal services to those in need and meet their professional responsibilities.

3. Participation

Encourages law firms, in-house counsel, and government agencies to participate and support pro bono efforts.

4. Partnerships

Engages with community partners to cultivate strong relationships and networking throughout the state.

Pro Bono Commission Work

Annual Report of Pro Bono Programs

Modest Means Committee

The purpose of the Modest Means Committee is to oversee and regulate the provision of discounted legal services through the Modest Means Lawyer Referral Program. The program is free for licensed lawyers. Program participants pay a $25 administrative fee for referrals, which is refunded if a lawyer is not secured through the program. Modest Means was developed to give relief to Utah Courts overloaded with increasing numbers of pro se litigants, and to provide additional opportunities to unemployed and under-employed lawyers. The MM Committee acts by (1) offering training and support to lawyers participating in the program, (2) serving program participants by matching them with qualified lawyers and sending referrals, and (3) continually evaluating the terms, standards, and structure of discounted legal services in Utah.